This morning's commute to my studio was a cold one. Now that there's break in the rain the weather turned sunny but cold. It's been a rainy winter here in Southern California. As for me I've been alternating between my old Toyota sedan and my BMW F650GS motorcycle between wet and dry commuting days.
While waiting at a light to turn left I caught a glimpse of another motorcycle getting into the same turn lane in my right rear view mirror. As usual I finished the turn in the outer most lane, the slow lane, on my way over to my studio; and there I caught another another glimpse of the rider this time in my left mirror as he passed me. I gave him my peace greeting before he overtook me on the left and saw him smiled and waved in acknowledgement in return. I recognize the older fellow and have seen him on a few occasion going in the opposite direction. A Harley Davidson, pretty nice but a bit on the noisy side.
A thought entered in my mind.
"Man, I wonder how long I would last riding something thumping so loudly on my long tours." How fatiguing would it be? I'm no motorcycle expert and from the looks of it, his Harley looks like a 1200 or maybe a 1500cc. "...and imagine that! I'm only on 650cc and I'm already complaining about noise and vibrations!"
About half a mile ahead, traffic was stopped at a light. I pulled into the left lane as I passed a truck and came up in the same lane as the Harley, I was on his right.
"Nice day for a ride!"
He place his right hand to the right side of his helmet, where his ear would be, indicating to me that he couldn't hear me. I edged up, this time screaming.
"NICE DAY FOR A RIDE!"
He just smiled. I don't think he heard me but "oh, well." Usually I would leave it at that. But this time the red at this light was a little longer than anticipated, and it led to an uncomfortable, pregnant pause as I sat there next to this other motorcycle. So I started talking again.
"NICE BIKE! WHAT HARLEY MODEL IS IT?"
He was struggling to hear what I screaming about. Finally he answered.
"(Garble).... (Garble).... 1995 FSR (?)...."
I just couldn't hear him. No matter, I followed up with another question.
"IS THAT A 1500cc ?"
He leaned his helmet towards me, where his right ear would be, as if straining to hear, then... He pointed to my motorcyle this time I could hear him say, "HOW DOES THAT RIDE ?"
"GREAT GAS MILEAGE!" I answered.
But by this time we were both saved as the light turned green. He sped away as I followed behind. Then it occurred to me how loud his Harley was. Had his bike been a few decibels lower we could have had a better conversation.
As the traffic once again slowed in the left lane, I switched back to the right side. I sped past him, gave him a salute and went straight while he took the freeway on ramp. I guess to each his own.
Thursday, March 11, 2010
Thursday, January 14, 2010
Motorcycles and vibrations
I remember my first time soloing on the freeway on my BMW F650St motorcycle: the open air, the speed,... the vibrations. Everything felt normal driving wise as if I was in my car except for the high level of vibration that I thought was curious, only to be told later by my more experienced brother that I shouldn't worry about it because that's normal at high speeds. He also added, "...be prepared for numb butts and fatigue."
Until I've been on a two wheel motorbike I, probably like everyone elso who have not experienced motorcycles before, really took automobile for granted. The comfort and the insulation from the world outside. We believe that we're in own our little world that nothing can touch us. We don't hear or sense the horrendous wind buffeting nor noise, the wind chill in the winter time nor the skin drying heated airstream in the summer, nor the incessant vibration. In a car we're literally separated from the engine via a separate compartment, but not so with a motorcycle. When riding, the rider straddles the engine.
Vibration from riding a motorcycle can lead to discomfort such as in your numbed buttocks or hands and feet. It also makes you tire over long durations. It could also lead to loosened nuts and bolts which could conveniently dropped from your motorcycle and become lost. Which leads me to this anecdote.
Last October (2009) while on the touring trip to Arizona we traversed a stretch of old Route 66 in California that resembled the moon, well, maybe more akin to something that was left over when the US Air Force jets' use runway cratering munitions. The resulting vibration and potholes broke my F650GS fork seal. But little did I know that there was another little surprise.
Ever since that trip in October, the F650ST motorcycle that my girlfriend was riding has been sitting in storage connected to a battery tender. So one day I decided to exercise the bike and took it home from my studio where it is stored. As usual I oiled the chain, make sure the tires were properly inflated and tried to take note on anything that's unusual.
Not barely half a mile out I heard strange noises coming from underneath me. Sort of an irregular clack, clack, clack. So I immediately pulled over to check. After 3 to 4 minutes of examination I couldn't find anything odd so got back on the bike and continue to ride home. Not too far from that spot the clacking sound started again I was worried and a bit annoyed but pressed on.
Once I pulled into the garage and parked, I went immediately to scrutinize it. What I found was a loose drive chain that was literally slapping the frame. "How did that come about?" Then I remembered back to Route 66. Yup! That road not only broke my F650GS fork seal but was also the cause for the loosening and shifting rear axle nut for the F650ST, making its drive chain come loose. It wasn't a big problem but could have easily become catastrophic one if the the chain was thrown off the pinion and freeze the rear wheel... Ooh, that would've been pretty!
The next day I went to my brother and got a torque wrench to re-tighten the nut. In the course of adjusting the chain I found that both left and right chain tension screws had also come loose. Furthermore, one of the screws for the pinion cover was gone and the rest of the cover screws had loosened and were about to fall out!
I usually try to be thorough after a big trip, especially the arduous ones, and check my mount before taking it back on the road. But my complacency this time almost propagated to something bad. So if you ride lots, don't forget to locktite or use a proper torque wrench with the correct torque value to keep vibration from shaking those nuts and screws loose.
Until I've been on a two wheel motorbike I, probably like everyone elso who have not experienced motorcycles before, really took automobile for granted. The comfort and the insulation from the world outside. We believe that we're in own our little world that nothing can touch us. We don't hear or sense the horrendous wind buffeting nor noise, the wind chill in the winter time nor the skin drying heated airstream in the summer, nor the incessant vibration. In a car we're literally separated from the engine via a separate compartment, but not so with a motorcycle. When riding, the rider straddles the engine.
Vibration from riding a motorcycle can lead to discomfort such as in your numbed buttocks or hands and feet. It also makes you tire over long durations. It could also lead to loosened nuts and bolts which could conveniently dropped from your motorcycle and become lost. Which leads me to this anecdote.
Last October (2009) while on the touring trip to Arizona we traversed a stretch of old Route 66 in California that resembled the moon, well, maybe more akin to something that was left over when the US Air Force jets' use runway cratering munitions. The resulting vibration and potholes broke my F650GS fork seal. But little did I know that there was another little surprise.
Ever since that trip in October, the F650ST motorcycle that my girlfriend was riding has been sitting in storage connected to a battery tender. So one day I decided to exercise the bike and took it home from my studio where it is stored. As usual I oiled the chain, make sure the tires were properly inflated and tried to take note on anything that's unusual.
Not barely half a mile out I heard strange noises coming from underneath me. Sort of an irregular clack, clack, clack. So I immediately pulled over to check. After 3 to 4 minutes of examination I couldn't find anything odd so got back on the bike and continue to ride home. Not too far from that spot the clacking sound started again I was worried and a bit annoyed but pressed on.
Once I pulled into the garage and parked, I went immediately to scrutinize it. What I found was a loose drive chain that was literally slapping the frame. "How did that come about?" Then I remembered back to Route 66. Yup! That road not only broke my F650GS fork seal but was also the cause for the loosening and shifting rear axle nut for the F650ST, making its drive chain come loose. It wasn't a big problem but could have easily become catastrophic one if the the chain was thrown off the pinion and freeze the rear wheel... Ooh, that would've been pretty!
The next day I went to my brother and got a torque wrench to re-tighten the nut. In the course of adjusting the chain I found that both left and right chain tension screws had also come loose. Furthermore, one of the screws for the pinion cover was gone and the rest of the cover screws had loosened and were about to fall out!
I usually try to be thorough after a big trip, especially the arduous ones, and check my mount before taking it back on the road. But my complacency this time almost propagated to something bad. So if you ride lots, don't forget to locktite or use a proper torque wrench with the correct torque value to keep vibration from shaking those nuts and screws loose.
Tuesday, January 5, 2010
Brigdestone Trail Wing TW101 & TW152 Tires
Happy new year!
The new year have also brought in a new set of tires for my BMW F650GS in the form of two new Bridgestone Trail Wings (TW101-front) and (TW152-rear). I think it was a pretty good deal for these tires, coming in under $200 for both tires.
The reason I chose the Bridgestone Trail Wings was because of their tread patterns. Being that I've ridden mountain bikes for the last 20 years I figure a bit more tread would be nice if I decided to take that "road less taken."
I enlisted my brother's help and it took us about 3 hours to get the tires on the rim, balanced and back on my F650GS. Not too bad really, for just using basic levers and soapy water to get the job done. At times like these it's not so much how long it took to get the work done, but it's the brotherly bond that's truly time well spent.
I have to admit the Trail Wings are a lot noisier than my previous Metzelers. At around 40 mph the noise starts and as the bike get faster it gets noisier. The price you pay for a bit of off road performance. I'm hoping that with some wear the noise would also subside. Other than that minor aspect, at freeway speed (I've taken it up to 85 mph), they perform beautifully on the F650GS.
Here's to the new year!
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